Glue Networks announced the latest version of its orchestration platform, Gluware 2.0, this morning. The focus of the new version will be on opening the software-defined wide-area network (SD-WAN) to DevOps capabilities to heighten agility and control.

CEO Jeff Gray says Gluware 2.0 has been in the works for three years. With an emphasis on higher-layer orchestration and DevOps functionality, it's the industry's first network-aware and customizable WAN orchestration platform, he says.

Gray argues Glue's approach surpasses what SD-WAN-focused competitors are doing because companies like CloudGenix are focused on lower layers, while Glue wants a network-aware approach. "It's the next wave of innovation," he says. "The higher layer has been our vision for a long time."

Gray says 2.0 is "engineer-centric" instead of "programmer-centric," to let engineers code within their best practices, rather than forcing them to adopt new skills. Gluware 2.0 allows customers to orchestrate and automate existing and future networks for both the physical and virtual parts of their infrastructure. Gray says this will play a major role as enterprises try to transition from current to future state of the network.

Gray says the jump to a more agile fabric is a big one, but high customization is necessary in today's organizations. "How do you actually automate what an enterprise has if it's different every time?" he says. "That's what we're solving."

Also new in 2.0:

  • Gluware Control: Large-scale network browsing and device provisioning that gives network engineers the ability to offer almost real-time verification, validation, lifecycle management, and error messaging. 
  • Gluware Lab: Lets engineers build or tailor services, so customers can test, in a controlled lab environment, what's been created for them. 

Glue Networks worked closely with the Open Networking User Group (ONUG) to pass all 10 ONUG SD-WAN working group tests, all done with 2.0.

Gluware 2.0 is in beta, with general availability slated for July or August. Glue will be demoing the software at Cisco Live next week in San Diego.